World Homeless Day: How ASRC is Preventing Homelessness Among Refugees

As we mark World Homeless Day 2024, this Thursday, October 10, we are reminded that having a safe, secure place to call home is a fundamental human right not available to everyone. For many refugees and people seeking asylum in Australia, experiencing homelessness is a very real challenge. Often left to survive in the community without work rights or health care benefits, many people in our community are left at risk of sleeping rough without a roof over their heads. 

The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC) has long been at the forefront of efforts to combat homelessness, working tirelessly to support those fleeing persecution and hardship who are at risk of being left homeless.

For refugees facing homelessness, the risk is often immediate and severe. Many arrive in Australia with limited resources and face visa restrictions that make finding stable employment difficult. Without access to government assistance, people seeking asylum struggle to meet basic needs, including housing. Families with children are especially vulnerable, with many experiencing the devastating uncertainty of not knowing where they’ll sleep next. That’s why ASRC is committed to stretching its resources to help families seeking asylum at risk or experiencing homelessness, at least until the government acknowledges its humanitarian duty. 

Refugees are forced to leave their home countries because they fear persecution, and they hope for a safer future. However, even after they leave, they still face many risks and challenges. In fact, refugees and asylum seekers often encounter new obstacles when they migrate. Many arrive in Australia with limited resources and are unable to work or access government support due to their visa status. The stress of navigating a new country, often compounded by the trauma of fleeing conflict or persecution, can make finding stable housing seem like an impossible challenge. Families with children are particularly vulnerable, with many facing the terrifying prospect of homelessness while trying to build a new life.

Nina Field, Humanitarian Services Manager, explains the risks of homelessness that refugees are currently facing. “People seeking asylum are among the most vulnerable in the community to experiencing housing instability and potential homelessness because of the multiple barriers they face in accessing and maintaining affordable housing – including language barriers, lack of rental references, discrimination, loss of their work rights and lack of access to any of the usual government support.“

The ASRC understands that housing insecurity doesn’t just affect physical well-being; it impacts every aspect of life. It disrupts children’s education, strains mental health, and can make it harder for individuals to focus on healing and integrating into society. Thanks to the ASRC’s critical short-term housing support program, we can help combat homelessness and assist community access to housing. 

In some cases, we are the only safety net standing between a family and the streets. However, with the cost of living crisis showing no signs of slowing down, the demand for these services is higher than ever. Nina explains, “only a handful of community organisations in Melbourne like the ASRC are able to provide some temporary relief through crisis accommodation or short-term housing support.”

On this World Homeless Day, we call on the community to stand with us in supporting those who are most at risk. Through donations, volunteering, or raising awareness, your support can make a world of difference for families facing homelessness. 

While observing a world homeless day doesn’t end the problem, awareness provides a critical platform to amplify the voices of those affected, foster empathy, and inspire collective action toward long-term solutions.

Together, we can ensure that everyone—no matter where they come from or what they’ve been through—has the chance to find a safe place to call home.

* Do you, or someone you know, have lived experience and are facing homelessness? You can find out more about our short-term housing program here.

Share Button
Leave a reply